92forty, the catchy name for the 924 Owners Club meet to celebrate the 40th birthday of the Porsche 924. Yes it really was launched in 1976! The club had worked very hard to bring a large number of 924's together for the event and about 120 attended. After last minute trouble with the previous venue pulling out just a couple of month before the event Porsche GB stepped in and offered the use of there fabulous Porsche Experience Center at Silverstone. Porsche are starting a year focusing on 40yrs of Porsche front engined, transaxle sports cars and were seeing this as a good kick off event.
It was a club event so it wasn't publicly marketed but demand outstripped the available places from with in the club. Not really surprising when they were only charging £8 per vehicle which included a three course lunch for up to two people and complementary refreshments throughout the day. You weren't penalised if you couldn't make it in your 924 but I didn't want that to happen which is why I have been working so hard to get the Shonky Rocket ready.
After work last Friday Toby and I travelled down and stopped overnight in the nearby Travelodge. We had a good run clear down from Leeds but it was after 8pm when we arrived, there were about a dozen 924's in the Travelodge carpark. We had a quick look round and said a few hello's before hot footing it into Towcester as we were starving. Re-fuelled we then made a quick pit stop in 'The Pickled Pig' before settling into 'The Brave Old Oak' for a few. It turned into a bit of a late one!
Next morning we were awoken by the sound of 924's leaving the car park which was a good thing as we were already running late. We skipped breakfast (still full on 2am pizza) and headed for the big event. As we turned the corner into the Porsche Experience Center we were greeted by an impressive line up 924's. Unfortunately the main area was already full so we had to park in the overflow bit though there was quite a selection of 924 in there too.
(all photos by Toby AKA catlotion unless otherwise stated)
(Picture by: BLOW PW)
Shonky in the overflow carpark (Picture by: BLOW PW)...
We had a general wander up and down the lines before heading into the Experience Center for a drink. Its an impressive building made even more so for having not one but two 924 Carrera GTS road cars sat in the middle of the hall. The 1955 550 spyder to one side was also magnificent but this really was a day for 924's.
Refreshments consumed we headed for the roof where we could watch some of the Historic Sports Car Club racing happening on the main Silverstone circuit. Lots of E-types, a few Mk2 jags with the odd Healy and Corvette thrown in too, most enjoyable.
I met up with a couple of club member who had a poke around the Shonky Rocket. While having another look round the carpark I was kindly reminded by a member of staff that it was time for our lunch sitting (Porsche efficiency!). The Porsche Experience Center laid on a lovely 3 course lunch while Toby and I chatted all things cars (not just Porsche!) with Jason who joined us on our table.
After lunch I started getting nervous as my track session was coming up so I warmed the car up and fetched it round. The sessions were limited to 20min to allow plenty of members to have a run but only cost £15 and drivers were accompanied by one of the Experience Centres professional instructors. They are more accustomed to brand new Boxters and Caymans so my rough and ready 924 raised some eyebrows! Here I am looking a bit nervous...
Ready steady...
Go! (PS. I was instructed to go wide here because of rough tarmac on the inside, honest!)
It was brilliant, and my instructor really helped me improve my lines. The car ran well and handled predictably but most importantly it stayed in one piece. I could/should have pushed harder but I was being quite cautious for the sake of both car and my instructor. I had to put the windscreen wipers on half way through too and I wasn't sure how much a little dampness would affect grip. Anyway for 20min I felt like a racing driver (hence all the excuses) and I had a big grin on my face afterwards.
After parking up I had a good chat with another 924OC member about the work he's done on his front suspension (bushes/sleeved coil-overs/strut tops), something that's on my to do list. At this point Jason we'd met at lunch came over to say goodbye as he was leaving but it didn't take much persuading for him to show me round his fabulous GT Replica first. I just wish I took a picture as it was really cool. Found one...
(Picture by: BLOW PW)
Toby and I had a mates 40th Birthday to get to back to Leeds for so we were also thinking about setting off. But we couldn't leave yet, we had saved the best to last...
The Carrera GTR. It was a beauty to behold. Tough and muscular but still quite elegant.
It's strange story about being tucked away in a guys living room in Japan since new and never having being used is both fascinating and a little sad. Most race cars have battle scars and wear that tell of the cars history, but this one's story is that it has never been used and so remains pristine. It sort of seems a shame to 'spoil' it now but it also seems a shame that its never fulfilled its purpose, its like a car stuck in limbo. Truly an amazing car though and the best thing at 92forty if I dare say.
The drive back was pretty easy going (if a little noisy) until Chesterfield when the heavens opened up. I could barely see because the wipers only work on normal speed and I REALLY needed the fast setting. I needed the blower on to demist the screen but it was spitting water over my legs and soaking the footwells. The good thing is not a drop came in the roof or though the windscreen seal so that's passed the test.
I got home and went to the 40th birthday party but secretly I kind of wished I could have stayed over another night and gone to the proper 40th after party in the pub with the 924OC club members.
Thanks to the 924OC committee and all involved with making the event happen, and big props to the Porsche Experience Centre for hosting the event.
-Steve-
It was a club event so it wasn't publicly marketed but demand outstripped the available places from with in the club. Not really surprising when they were only charging £8 per vehicle which included a three course lunch for up to two people and complementary refreshments throughout the day. You weren't penalised if you couldn't make it in your 924 but I didn't want that to happen which is why I have been working so hard to get the Shonky Rocket ready.
After work last Friday Toby and I travelled down and stopped overnight in the nearby Travelodge. We had a good run clear down from Leeds but it was after 8pm when we arrived, there were about a dozen 924's in the Travelodge carpark. We had a quick look round and said a few hello's before hot footing it into Towcester as we were starving. Re-fuelled we then made a quick pit stop in 'The Pickled Pig' before settling into 'The Brave Old Oak' for a few. It turned into a bit of a late one!
Next morning we were awoken by the sound of 924's leaving the car park which was a good thing as we were already running late. We skipped breakfast (still full on 2am pizza) and headed for the big event. As we turned the corner into the Porsche Experience Center we were greeted by an impressive line up 924's. Unfortunately the main area was already full so we had to park in the overflow bit though there was quite a selection of 924 in there too.
(all photos by Toby AKA catlotion unless otherwise stated)
(Picture by: BLOW PW)
Shonky in the overflow carpark (Picture by: BLOW PW)...
We had a general wander up and down the lines before heading into the Experience Center for a drink. Its an impressive building made even more so for having not one but two 924 Carrera GTS road cars sat in the middle of the hall. The 1955 550 spyder to one side was also magnificent but this really was a day for 924's.
Refreshments consumed we headed for the roof where we could watch some of the Historic Sports Car Club racing happening on the main Silverstone circuit. Lots of E-types, a few Mk2 jags with the odd Healy and Corvette thrown in too, most enjoyable.
I met up with a couple of club member who had a poke around the Shonky Rocket. While having another look round the carpark I was kindly reminded by a member of staff that it was time for our lunch sitting (Porsche efficiency!). The Porsche Experience Center laid on a lovely 3 course lunch while Toby and I chatted all things cars (not just Porsche!) with Jason who joined us on our table.
After lunch I started getting nervous as my track session was coming up so I warmed the car up and fetched it round. The sessions were limited to 20min to allow plenty of members to have a run but only cost £15 and drivers were accompanied by one of the Experience Centres professional instructors. They are more accustomed to brand new Boxters and Caymans so my rough and ready 924 raised some eyebrows! Here I am looking a bit nervous...
Ready steady...
Go! (PS. I was instructed to go wide here because of rough tarmac on the inside, honest!)
It was brilliant, and my instructor really helped me improve my lines. The car ran well and handled predictably but most importantly it stayed in one piece. I could/should have pushed harder but I was being quite cautious for the sake of both car and my instructor. I had to put the windscreen wipers on half way through too and I wasn't sure how much a little dampness would affect grip. Anyway for 20min I felt like a racing driver (hence all the excuses) and I had a big grin on my face afterwards.
After parking up I had a good chat with another 924OC member about the work he's done on his front suspension (bushes/sleeved coil-overs/strut tops), something that's on my to do list. At this point Jason we'd met at lunch came over to say goodbye as he was leaving but it didn't take much persuading for him to show me round his fabulous GT Replica first. I just wish I took a picture as it was really cool. Found one...
(Picture by: BLOW PW)
Toby and I had a mates 40th Birthday to get to back to Leeds for so we were also thinking about setting off. But we couldn't leave yet, we had saved the best to last...
The Carrera GTR. It was a beauty to behold. Tough and muscular but still quite elegant.
It's strange story about being tucked away in a guys living room in Japan since new and never having being used is both fascinating and a little sad. Most race cars have battle scars and wear that tell of the cars history, but this one's story is that it has never been used and so remains pristine. It sort of seems a shame to 'spoil' it now but it also seems a shame that its never fulfilled its purpose, its like a car stuck in limbo. Truly an amazing car though and the best thing at 92forty if I dare say.
The drive back was pretty easy going (if a little noisy) until Chesterfield when the heavens opened up. I could barely see because the wipers only work on normal speed and I REALLY needed the fast setting. I needed the blower on to demist the screen but it was spitting water over my legs and soaking the footwells. The good thing is not a drop came in the roof or though the windscreen seal so that's passed the test.
I got home and went to the 40th birthday party but secretly I kind of wished I could have stayed over another night and gone to the proper 40th after party in the pub with the 924OC club members.
Thanks to the 924OC committee and all involved with making the event happen, and big props to the Porsche Experience Centre for hosting the event.
-Steve-
